Wagon steering mechanism



July l5, 1952 A. B. Mol-:N

wAcon STEERING mams 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 29, 1948 rn V /NVEN TOR ANL/ER B. Mos/v IIIIIIII ATTORNEYS July 15, 1952 Filed April 29, 1948 i Ir A. B. MOEN WAGON STEERING IIECHANISI 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR ANVER MOE/v BWL-Q,

ATTuR/vcvs July l5, 1952 A. B. MoEN WAGON STEERING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1948 July l5, 1952 A. n MEN wAcon s'rmmc uEcHANIsu 4 Shoots-Sheet 4 Filed April 29, 1948 S N n .E R me. Im@ .N l A M e Y@ B .9u D# Figure 12 is a view showing the tongue detached from the draft member.

The novel wagonherein disclosed is shown comprising front and rear axle assemblies, generally designated by the numerals 2 and 3. The rear axle is shown comprising opposed channel members ll and secured together in slightly spaced relation yand; havingvr depending: brackets B securedzsto the' ends thereofto which suitable spindles 'i are secured for supporting the usual rear wheels 8.Y Y 4 An important feature of the present invention Y turning movement of the front wheels.

"1' wheel steerihg'mech ni f frame 3e secured to a semi-circular frame 35.

resides in the construction of the `bolster stakest',

whereby they are adjustably mounted upon the rearaxle to adapt the wagon for '"load' carrying bodies of different widths.' r'hegspecirlcl y.con struction of the means for adjustablysecuringu the bolsterrstakes tonrthe bolster willbesbse-ii Yquently described.

A tubularrre'ach member ll-hasl one` end. suitablysecured to the front channel-memberV 4 of the rear axle -3 by such meansas weldingrand *diagonal brace members I2 are securedato; the y"opposed ends of the rear axle and have their for- Ward ends suitably "secured to the tubular memvr'ber ll, preferably by welding. i

The front axle assembly 2 is shovvneonstructed s of opposed channel members 'I3 and it in afmanner similar to the rear axle 3. Atubularreach member l5 has its frontfendc'weldedto the rear A channel I4 of the frontaxle 2 andextends rear- Wardly therefrom, -as Vbest shown' in Figures 1 l and 2. `The reach members Il` and l5 telescopingly receive a coupling memberl Awhich provides an adjustable connection between the reach members Il and l5. *Pins I'i and I8 oper- V.ativelyconnect together .the reachsections Il and I5, as vvill'beV understood" by reference to "Figurer 1, andwhereby the' spacing between .the

front and rear axles lengthwise of the wagon may be varied to adapt the running gear to load'carrying bodies of various lengths.

The front bolster 2 is ,shown provided. with bolster stakes l similar to the rear bolster'stakes 9. The bolster stakes are preferablyv formed of channel iron, and also have channel'l-'shaped -bottoms or bases slidably seated upon the tops of AYThe ramei is provided with rearwardly extending spaced lcgs 36 having terminal feet 3l adaptedto be seated against the front channel i3y of vthe front axle assembly and suitably secured thereto as by welding, as will be under- -stood by reference to Figures 3 and 4.

A coupling member, generally designated by the numeral ,38, isv secured -to the swivel plate `33, and` is: shown comprisinga pair of spacedpar- Y ,allelbarsf39shown having their rear end portions secured to theswivel plate33 by; suitable bolts lil. f The bars -liextend forwardly and have their ,front terminals connected together -byxatransversegmember 42 shown provided Ywith upwardly and downwardly directed bearinglugs iil andi-d3, as bestshOWn in Figure 7. A tubular f bearing element; 1is secured to the bars 39 by such means aswelding, landthe front ends of a pair of bars d5 arev also suitablysecured to the v bearing element Mgfas Willfbenoted by reference A Figuresb` and '7.

to Figures 3 and 7. The frontends of the/bars are Welded to the tubular rbearing elementl,

'and their rear ends, are securedto a ,circular Yplate 46 by the bolts fil, as bestl illustrated in Byreference to Figure will benotedithat n. the plate G6 is relatively larger in diameter lthan `portion maybe. Vseated upon circular frame 34 `so that it may cooperate withthe lower'bars 39 the swivel plate 33, whereby its vmarginal edge y:to ,retain thepswivelplate- 33 in position;within the circularframe34. `Tlieftubular bearingl memberrflris disposed transversely of the coupling member SSfandis adapted to receive a pivot bolt .f'i Mfor coupling the usual draft vmember, gentheir respective bolsters, as best shownin Figures 2 and 6. Suitable bolts or cap screws 2i are. re. Y

ceived in apertures provided in the base portions of the bolster stakes and have their'lowerthreaded terminals received in threaded! engagement with clamping plates 22, whereby the V.bolster stakes may readily be secured in adjustedposi'-` w Figure 3.. The bars -orplates,y 53v andgflare tion by limited rotary movement of the clamping erally designated bythe numeral 43,to'thecoufiplilnemember. 33- 1 ,y ..The draft member i8- is shown-comprising i lopposed/angle irons-49 and 7.5i secured together 'at :their front ends byhfa suitable trailer `,hitch effi-0f; conventional,construction, and' bvifsuitf screws 2i. vThe bolsters are so constructed that Y the bolster stakes 9 and i9 may readilylbe completely detached from the bolsters by simplyloosl Y ening the clamping bolts or screws12l and. slid'.-

ingi the bolsters 'outwardly' out fof engagement Vwith the opposed channels constituting each axle.

Another important feature of the present invention residesi'n the novel means provided for pivotally mounting theV front Wheelfspindles 23 on thefront axle 2. As best shown i.n-=Figure 6,

brackets 24 are secured to the bottomof the frontaxler or bolster by suchmeansas welding. Opposed brackets 25 and 26 are secured-respecster and the brackets 121i, and are provided with provided in the sockets 2 to reduce friction to able tie'bars or plates j'andfh; best shown in preferably. Welded; tothe angle irons .49 and 5|.

Metallic straps '55 are suitably securedto the rear-'ends of .Y the angle. rOIlS Il!!AY and; 5 li ofthe draft member #38, and -have n apertures at 'their rear ends for receiving'thevpivotbolt-41, there-` .by to ,pivotallycouple the draft member: 418 to the coupling member 3.8. The transverse spacing betweenV the opposedfguide lugs 43 `atthe y outer end of thegcouplingmember -33 is such as tively to thefchannelsV constituting the front bolto engage thebars: V .of the draft member te l tothereby prevent laterali-play of the draft member with respect to the coupling memberilrupon turning` movementofthe vehicle; 1 The` lugs 4D vcooperate Withlthe'lugs "t3 to support the draft .member Q8. Y N i Toeffect turningmovement of the front wheels,

am'ember 561s secured to the swivel vplate 33 by such -means. as the rearr bolts ,d l c shown in Figures 4 and Tiebars 58 "have `theirinner ends/pivotally connected to the member 5,8, as shown at 1 acca-503 surta-hief turn, buckles 4caf are-shown provided4 i* in eachtie 'bar 58'-tO-oiltate-pprly aligning the lfrontwheels-with the rear'wheelsi- 2 Stoplugs 16h are also Ishown provided; uponfthe -bot'ltom '-jlof the supporting -frame' 35v of the'y vswivelplate L" `l33-adapteizl tobeA engagedby the-bars! 39 -of the f coupling *member 38 as vindicated in -dotted lines inV Figure 4, thereby limiting turning movement of theiront wheels.

' Another'important feature of the present invention resides inthe construction of the draft member 48, whereby a" conventional wagonv tongue 64', shown inlFigurei 12, :may readily be secured to the wagon to adapt v4it. for.;propulsion by a team offhorses. t

The wagon tongue 64 may be constructed of timberor any other suitable material, rand its rear endportion 65's preferably square in cross section; as shown in "Figure 9: A stirrup 66 is secure'dfto theopposed anglebars 49:a'nd'5l of J the 'draft'member and isadapted to receive the I end portion 65 of'thewagon tongue 64,' as :clearly vill'ustratedin'Figure 9. "L

'To secure the"ton'gue`64`to the draftfmember 48, themrearend'.'portiofn'jtjof the tongue' is inserted into'the stirrup '66, and the'tongue` and Ji' bodies 'otivaryin'gwidths.zt;The connections beltween-.the telescopic! membersJ I Q :l Brande lfsazalso make it possible tore'adily Naryfthesspacing betweenl theflfrontz and 'rear :Wheels:;i:=Means',1 not 5,., relativer-rotary l movementfbetweerr .theLneach ymembers |-|1and|5 tolpreventf-lsueh members shown, is alsot J provided rfo'rlipermitting. limited from being subjectedto excessive ystrains :should 's :one ofther wheels Vpass-over an obstruction 'which m.

would raise orilowerlit-ffron-r` itsnorrnallline of travel.

It willf-also be noted thatthe-'spindlefsupport- 1 ing-elements 29" offthe'f' front '-'Wheels farefjmade lcomparatively long in afvertical -direction;f `and j their upperI ends are preferably supported suitable :roller bearings toreduceriictiorr. 'l ZAlso; by

- provision of-*thelbrackets 24,'greater road-"clear- Mance, is provided beneath the front andfrearlaxles.

i It fwill'be apparent to those skilled" inethe'v art that'I have-accomplished yat least fthe principal fobjects ofA my-invention; and it'will"also*be`-ap parent to those skilled in the artthatthe'embodi- 'men'tsherein described 'may be variously'changed and" modified without departingfrom"thefspirit of 'the invention, and ithat'th'e inventionfiscapable offuses andghas advantages notherein'speciiically described :henceit ,will be appreciatedithat 435 ment aboutvertical vaxes to' effect .turning moveangle irons49 and`5l of the draft member 48 are then brought into engagement with one another, as shown in Figure l0, after which a suitable bolt 68 is inserted through aligned openings in the tongue and trailer hitch 52, as shown in Figure l0, whereby the tongue is secured to the draft member to become, in eiect, a component part thereof. A strap member lSi) is shown secured to the tongue by a bolt 1I and has an aperture at its forward end adapted to receive a bolt or pin B1 which also traverses an opening in the plate element 54 of the draft member 38. The strap member 69 serves as a means for securing a device such as a conventional evener 13 to the tongue.

From the foregoing it will be noted that the wagon herein disclosed may readily be coupled to a tractor or a truck provided with a complemental trailer hitch part, or, if desired, the

tongue 64 may be coupled to the draft member.

48 to convert the vehicle for propulsion by a team of horses.

The front axle construction provides a very rigid structure, and the unique mounting for the spindles 23 is such that there is little danger of the parts becoming loose in their joints, as is more or less common in wagons of this general type now in use. The swivel plate 33 is made comparatively large in diameter to provide ample rigidity and stability and whereby play in the joints of the steering mechanism is unlikely to occur. The coupling member 38 irmly secures the swivel plate in position in its circular supporting frame 35, and the elongated tubular bearing element .44 provides a substantial and rugged adequate support for coupling the draft member 48 to the coupling member 38.

The adjustability of the bolster stakes is also highly desirable in that it makes it possible tol quickly adjust the spacing between the bolster stakes to adapt the Wagon for load carrying the herein `'disclosed embodiments 'are' illustrative 'only,' 'and Vthat my invention is not limitedithereto. j iI. claim' as my invention:

` l: In a wagon of the class` described, V'affront bolster` havingfront wheel spindles mounted at the jendsthereofand"adapted for pivotal movement of the Vehicle, frontwheels 'mounted on said spindles, a circular frame secured to the front bolster and disposed forwardly thereof, a

swivel plate rotatably mounted in said frame and having means overlying said frame, a, coupling member secured to the bottom side of the swivel plate and having a portion extending rearwardly to a position beneath the front bolster and cooperating with the overlying portion of the swivel plate to retain said plate in the circular framef connecting rods each having one end connected to the rear end of said coupling member and having their other ends connected to the front wheel spindles, thereby to impart turning movement to the Wagon front wheels, when the coupling member is laterally swung from one side to another.

2. In a wagon of the class described, a front bolster, a. comparatively large circular frame secured to the bolster and yprojecting forwardly thereof, a swivel plate rotatably mounted in said frame and having means engaging the upper face thereof, an elongated coupling member secured tothe bottom of the swivel plate and extending rearwardly therefrom and cooperating with said means to rotatably retain the swivel plate in the circular frame, connecting means between the rear end of the coupling member and the front Wheels of the axle whereby turning movement is imparted to the carrying Wheels when the swivel plate is relatively rotated in its supporting frame, and complemental bars secured to the swivel plate and extending forwardly therefrom and having means at their forward ends for detachably connecting a, draft member thereto tofacilitate coupling the wagon to a propelling vehicle.

3. In a wagon of the class described, front and rear wheels, a front bolster, an enlarged circular frame secured to said bolster and projecting forwardly thereof, a swivel plate rotatably mounted in said frame, a complementalplate secured to the swivel plate and. overlying la portion of Vthe circularframe, an elongated member Secured to the bottom of lthe swivel platepandj cooperating with said complemental plateto retain the swivel i plate in position inthe circularrflamehsaid elongated member extending rearwardly. Vfrom the Vswivel plate,'and means for y@iterativelyconnect'- ing said elongated member with the vfront wheels of the wagonY whereby turning movement is irn parted to said front wheels when the swivel plate is relatively rotated in its supporting frame.

4. In a wagonv of theclass describedha front bolster, acomparativelylarge circular frame sev cured tosaid-A bolster and projecting Aforwardly thereof, a swivel plate rotatably mounted insaid frame, a complemental plate secured to the swivel plate and overlying a portion of thecircular frame, an elongated member securedto the bottomof the swivel plate and cooperating withlsaid complemental plate to retain the Swivel plate in position insaid circular frame, said elongated membereXtending rearwardly from the swivel I plate and having means for connecting itd'to the front wheels of the axle whereby turning movement is imparted to said front wheels Wh'envthe swivel plate is relatively rotated in its supporting frame, and a coupling member secured to the swivel plate and extendingV forwardly therefrom and having means at its forward end for detachably connecting a draft member thereto to yfacilitate coupling the wagon to Va power vehicle.

5. In a wagon of, the ,class described, 'a' front 4ibolster, a, comparatively. large circular frame secured rto, said bolster and 'projecting forwardly thereof, Va swivel plate rotatably mounted in said Vframea C0,mp1emental platesecured tothe swivel "plate and overlying a portion of vthe ycircular frame, an. elongated member secured to the bot- .tQm oftheswivel plate and cooperating with said complemental plateto, retain the swivel plate in position insaidgirculan frame, said elongated member extending rearwardly from the swivel plate, means for operatively connecting said elongated member with the front wheels of the wagon whereby Vturning movementV is imparted Yto the VVfront wheels when-tbe swivel plate is relatively rotated in its supporting frame, a coupling memberY secured tothe swivelplate, a draft member detachably connected lto the coupling member,

I rand means inY theV draft member whereby a conventional wagon tongue maybeattached thereto toconvert'the apparatus for animal propulsion.

ANVER B. MoEN.

. REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the iile of this` patent;

UNITED STATESA PATENTS* Persinske June 2, 1942 

